Drivers enjoy time with fans at Kingsport Speedway Mall Show

Drivers from Kingsport Speedway had their race cars on display at the Mall at Johnson City on Saturday for fans to enjoy.For the race track, it was a chance to promote the upcoming season which fires up less than a month on Saturday, March 22. The racing moves to the track's tradition Friday night spot on April 4 with racing through September. There's also special 150-lap race sponsored by Cobra Tires in October.The cars represented the different classes that race at the speedway from the Late Models to Crown Vics. Drivers were just as diverse from 77-year-old Brad Teague, the Johnson City legend who has raced against seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champions — Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt and Jimmie Johnson — to teenager Braxton Dean, who will be moving up in class this season.Lexi Arnold, 20, is a former Milligan University cheerleader. She made her debut behind the No. 05 white and pink Late Model last year. She attended the Mall Show before as a fan, but this was her first time as a participant."I absolutely love it. Johnson City is home for me," Arnold said. "When I was little, I used to look up to these guys so much. To be able to park my own car here, it's breathtaking."Arnold explained that her first time at the track, she couldn't even drive a stick shift. But, the pieces finally came together for her with an amazing team and support staff that gave her confidence. She's looking for increased performance during the 2025 season."Second year, the goals are to keep the car in one piece," Arnold said. "I'm hoping to park it in victory lane a couple of times. I'm super excited "Her car was one of the favorites for the kids who were at the Mall on Saturday. But, they found all the race cars cool as others gravitated to the black No. 09 car that Frank Womack drives at the track."It's absolutely awesome to see kids look inside the car, see them touch it," Womack said. "They have a field day with it and it makes me happy to be a part of it."Womack, a Kingsport racer, raced at both Lonesome Pine Motorsports Park and his hometown track last season. He won four races and the track championship at the Virginia oval last season, and finished 11th in the points."We hand out schedules and get interest from the fans," Womack said. "I had two people new to the area come up and ask where Kingsport Speedway is. We were telling them to come here and they will enjoy it. I love the place. It's an awesome facility."Jay Swecker, a former track champion in the Street Stock, had his familiar No. 77 orange and black Camaro on display. The Mall Show does more than draw in new race fans. It gets those who are already fans and racers at Kingsport Speedway excited about the upcoming season."Everybody gets a chance to look at the cars we're racing at the speedway," Swecker said. "We know we're close to the race season when this happens."Swecker was second in the Street Stock points in 2024. His goal for his year isn't winning another championship, but simply trying to have a good time. He commented how thankful he is for Kingsport Speedway, which was recently recognized in a tweet by Dale Earnhardt Jr."I'm going to race and have fun, and I want to win some races." Swecker said. "I appreciate (track owners) Ervin and Keith (Stiltner) and (track manager) Vern (Deel) for giving us a great place to race."